SYNOPSIS

bubbros-server [ level-file.bin ] [options]

DESCRIPTION

bubbros-server starts an http server that acts as a control panel for the server. The server listens on port 8000 by default. The url for the control panel is http://server:port/0xN where 0xN is a random hex number (acts as minimal protection). This url is printed when the server starts. You can start and view games and kill the server from this panel. The control panel also allows you to type in the address of a server to connect to, the script will then open a client to that server. The http server also servers java applet clients for those players who wish to use one.

When a game is started the script opens a port for the game server. This port can then be connected to by a client. Clients autodetect servers running on the local network with UDP ping on port 8056.

Connection forming

The client forms a tcp connection to the server. Or, when using the metaserver, the server forms a connection to the client. If this fails, the client and server try a simultaneous SYN connect. This sometimes works if the server and client are behind firewalls. The server then tries to transmit the data over udp. If it gets no response from the client it will fall back to the existing tcp connection.

OPTIONS

-b N, --begin N, --start N

Start at board (level) number N. The default is 1. See also the -s option.

-h, --help

Display help.

-i, --infinite

Restart the server at the end of the game. Normally the server quits after a certain period of inactivity. This is useful when used with the -m option to make a public server that is available for a long time.

-l N, --lives N

Limit number of lives to N. If this option is not specified the number of lives will be infinite.

-m, --metaserver

Register server with the Metaserver (currently) at codespeak.net:8050. This makes your server visible to everybody, and also facilitates joining through a fascistic firewall.

--port

TYPE=N Sets default listening ports. If type is LISTEN , sets the game server port to N. The game server port is chosen randomly by default. If the type is HTTP , sets the http server port to N. The http server port defaults to 8000. Another port will be chosen if none was specified and 8000 is already in use. The server also listens to UDP ping on port 8056.

-s N, --step N

Increase board number with N when a board is completed. Defaults to 1. see also the -b option.

OUTPUT

The server outputs helpful debug information concerning the http and game servers.